Aoun warns that Israel's attacks undermine framework agreement and deescalation efforts

President Joseph Aoun declared Monday that "Israel's repeated attacks, the killing of innocents, including children and women, the destruction and burning of homes, and the bulldozing of property are condemned, rejected, and unjustified crimes.”

“These actions target the framework agreement and undermine all efforts to halt the escalation in the South and the region as a whole," warned Aoun in a meeting with French Justice Minister Gérard Darmanin in the presence of Lebanese Justice Minister Adel Nassar.

He affirmed that "Lebanon supports the renewal of the mandate of the U.N. force in the South, and we are working with (French) President (Emmanuel) Macron to facilitate this renewal." He also welcomed "the French and Italian initiative to form a European force to fill the void left by UNIFIL's withdrawal."

"My visit to Paris next week will be to participate, alongside President Macron, in the opening of the preparatory meeting for the international conference to support the Lebanese Army and Internal Security Forces, and to discuss the issue of the international force in the South," Aoun added.